A Motivating Ban

We’ve been talking about straws for a while now. Whether it’s the European Union or the town of Malibu, California, people are starting to consider the waste that straws and even plastic knives and forks can create.

Well, the straw discussion is going strong in other areas too. Companies, hotels, and even cruise companies are starting to learn a thing or two about the harmful effects that straws can have on the environment, and they are putting measures in place to cut down on their usage. How? Starbucks, for example, has decided to phase out plastic straws from all of its 28,000 stores by 2020. Any guess on how many straws that would eliminate per year? One billion! The solution? Starbucks plans to use unique lids that allow customers to drink cold drinks without hassle. American Airlines and Hyatt Hotels have also promised to phase out straws in their operations, but the two companies are going about it a bit differently. Hyatt will offer straws only on demand beginning September 1st, and American Airlines will be using biodegradable straws instead of plastic ones. SeaWorld in San Diego, California, is also banning straws and plastic bags, and Bon Appétit will remove plastic straws from all of its restaurants by 2019!

Just goes to show that a tiny ripple of planet-friendly choices in small towns and cities could ultimately become a wave of policies across the globe!

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